POLICY STATEMENT

The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Attending Veterinarian (AV) is responsible for the health and well-being of all animals used at this institution. To fulfill this mission, the AV oversees the UAF Animal Resources Center (ARC) and has direct or delegated authority to ensure the adequacy of animal care and use at UAF, irrespective of unit or departmental management, purpose, or funding. The AV reports directly to the designated Institutional Official and is a voting member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

The AV and other veterinarians in the ARC have full institutional support and authority to manage the UAF program of veterinary care. UAF follows the requirements set forth in the Animal Welfare Regulations as well as the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) position on adequate veterinary care. This includes but is not limited to oversight of husbandry, housing, preventative medicine and health surveillance, animal diets, medical treatment, establishment of sedation, anesthetic and analgesic guidelines, surgical protocols, handling, and immobilization. During the course of their duties, the AV and ARC veterinarians will include input from involved principal investigators, course instructors, or their designee. In emergencies where contact is not possible the course of action will be guided by professional veterinary judgment.

The AV will be involved in all institutional planning involving maintenance, renovation, design or construction of facilities in which animals are housed or used.

The duties of the AV may be shared and/or delegated to other veterinarians, but ensuring the program complies with federal regulation and policy remains the responsibility of the AV. Should any duties be delegated, then a mechanism of direct, frequent and regular communication must be established between these veterinarians and the AV.

No party shall restrict, inhibit or otherwise obstruct access by the AV to animals or animal care and use activities. No party shall provide false information regarding the welfare, care, or use of animals.

BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION

Adequate veterinary care is an essential component of an animal care and use program and is required by the Animal Welfare Regulations (AWRs) and Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The importance of adequate veterinary care is also emphasized in animal research guidelines and policies promulgated by scientific organizations.

It is the responsibility of the University of Alaska Fairbanks to support a comprehensive animal care and use program that ensures the health and well-being of all animals used by this institution. Clear provisions have been made at UAF to give the AV appropriate authority to execute a program of adequate veterinary care, including access to all animals.

DEFINITIONS

Adequate Veterinary Care: The University of Alaska Fairbanks follows the requirements set forth under 9CFR 2.33 in the Animal Welfare Regulations as well as the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) position on adequate veterinary care.

Animal: For the purpose of this policy, animal refers to any live vertebrate (fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, or mammals).

Animal Resources Center: The Animal Resources Center (ARC) is a university-wide shared research resource under oversight of the Attending Veterinarian. The ARC directly administers several UAF animal research facilities and houses the Veterinary Services Core. Administratively the ARC is under the Vice Chancellor for Research (the UAF designated Institutional Official). The ARC accomplishes its mission of providing for the physical and psychological well-being of all UAF animals through active research, service, and training programs.

Attending Veterinarian – The UAF Attending Veterinarian (AV) is an associate Vice Chancellor for Research reporting directly to the Vice Chancellor for Research (the UAF designated Institutional Official) and oversees the UAF Animal Resources Center. The AV must be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in the State of Alaska. The AV is a veterinarian who has training or experience in the care of the species being used by UAF as well as in laboratory animal science and medicine.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee – At UAF, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is an independent animal welfare committee reporting to and appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Research (Institutional Official). As a minimum the UAF committee has at least one non-scientist, community representation, research scientists representing several UAF programs, and the attending veterinarian. The IACUC is responsible for the review, approval, and ongoing assessment of research and teaching protocols. At least once every 6 months the IACUC reviews the animal care program and inspects all of the animal facilities to ensure that UAF is consistent with applicable regulation, policy, and guidelines. As such, the IACUC serves as the local oversight body for federal agencies and accrediting bodies.

Institutional Official: At UAF, the Institutional Official (IO) is the Vice Chancellor for Research. The IO bears ultimate responsibility for the animal care and use program although direction is a shared responsibility between the IO, AV, and IACUC.

Office of Research Integrity (ORI): This UAF office coordinates and provides administrative support for internal policies, sponsor requirements, and local, state and federal regulations governing the conduct of research. The ORI works closely with the IO, AV, IACUC and principal investigators. The office deals primarily with non-financial compliance issues related to the responsible conduct of research.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Each UAF employee has a responsibility to ensure and promote the health and welfare of all animals used in research, teaching, testing, or diagnostics at this institution.

NON-COMPLIANCE

The IACUC represents UAF and community interests regarding the UAF animal care program. It also serves as the local oversight arm for regulatory agencies and, with the Office of Research Integrity, will review all complaints or concerns about animal use at UAF. The IACUC and ORI will notify theInstitutional Official and the supervisor of involved individuals of any non-compliant activities. Failure to comply with this or associated policy and procedures may be grounds for disciplinary action by the university and, if applicable, suspension or termination of research or other activities, referral for misconduct proceedings, and reporting to state and federal agencies. Any disciplinary action taken by the university will follow the employment rules governing the individual’s employment category.

EXCEPTIONS

There are no exceptions to this policy.

PROCEDURES

It is the responsibility of the University of Alaska Fairbanks to support ongoing improvements in the animal care and use program through the development and implementation of procedures and policies that enhance the health and well-being of the animals. Specific procedures for the animal care program are jointly developed and maintained by the IACUC, AV, and ORI with approval by the IO.